1997 Mercury Mountaineer spare tire

3. Fold vinyl edges towards center,
making sure that the edges clear
the end cap slots. Use tape or
rubber band to hold the vinyl on
the left side of the roller tube.
4. While holding the vinyl and
roller tube, push in the right end
cap (marked RH) about 6.4 mm
(1/4 inch) to disengage the clutch.
Hold end cap in while turning
roller tube towards you 14 times.
5. Let go of the right end cap. The
clutch should now engage and stop
the shade from losing its spring
tension.
6. Unfold the vinyl and place it
into the end cap slots.
7. Insert the shade into the side
mounting brackets (the opening
for the right mounting bracket is
narrower than the left). Check to
see if the shade operates properly.
Spare tire and jack
Your vehicle is equipped with a
full-size spare tire located behind
the rear bumper. For instructions
on how remove and mount the
spare tire, refer to theRoadside
emergenciessection later in this
Owner's Guide.
Controls and features
48

7. Remove the jack handle (located
underneath rear seat).
8. Assemble the jack handle to the
lug wrench.
9. Insert drive section of the jack
handle into the actuator hole and
turn counterclockwise until the
cable is slack enough to allow
spare tire to be pulled rearward
from under the vehicle.
10. Slide spare tire rearward and
remove retainer.
Roadside emergencies
129

Position the jack under the rear
axle to raise the rear wheel.
14. Turn the jack handle clockwise
and raise the vehicle until the tire
just clears the ground.
15. Remove the wheel lug nuts and
flat tire, and install the spare.
16. Install the lug nuts and tighten
until snug.
Use of wheel or lug nuts
other than original
equipment could cause damage
to the wheel or mounting system
and allow the wheels to come off
while the vehicle is in motion.
17. Lower the vehicle and tighten
the wheel lug nuts as shown.
18. Unblock the wheels and put
the flat tire, jack, jack handle and
lug wrench away.
Stowing flat tires
Stow aluminum wheel and tire
with valve stem down.
1
4
2
5 3
Roadside emergencies
131

on wiper blade until lock tab is
engaged.
To replace liftgate wiper blade:
1. Pull wiper arm away from
liftgate window.
2. Use small screwdriver to
depress lock tab and pull wiper
blade upwards and away from
wiper arm.
3. Attach new wiper blade by
pushing wiper arm post through
hole in wiper blade until lock tab is
engaged.
Information about tire grades
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have their Tire Quality Grade
(described below) molded into the
tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by
standards that the United States
Department of Transportation has
set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. They do not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 25.4 cm to 30.48 cm
(10 to 12 in.) or limited production
tires as defined in Title 49 Code of
Federal Regulations Part
575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation
- Tire quality grades: The U.S.
Department of Transportation
requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire
Maintenance and care
158

Failure to follow these
precautions may adversely
affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
IDENTIFYING TIRE TYPES
Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to determine
the specific size tire and wheel
Ford Motor Company recommends
for use on this vehicle.
All wheel/tire combinations
(including spare) must be the
same size for AWD equipped
vehicles.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the
same size and grade as the
tires you currently have on your
vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all
weather treads to provide traction
in rain and snow. However in some
climates, you may need to use
snow tires and chains. Follow
these guidelines when using snow
tires and chains:
²Use only SAE Class ªSº chains.
²Install chains securely, verifying
that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Install tire chains on rear tires
only.
Maintenance and care
163

Parts (see Motorcraft Parts) ...185
Power door locks ........................38
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....148
Rear climate control system ......45
Refill capacities for fluids ........185
Relays .................................127,128
Remote entry system
arming and disarming the
anti-theft system .................52,54
locking/unlocking doors ...........53
panic alarm ...............................53
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................55
replacing the batteries .............54
Repairing paint chips ...............181
Reporting safety defects ..........192
Safety chains, when towing a
trailer .........................................113
Safety defects, reporting ..........192
Safety restraints ..........................63
adjusting the safety belts .........67
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................66
center rear lap belt ..................68
cleaning the safety belts ..........71
extension assembly ..................71
lap and shoulder belts .............64
maintenance ..............................69
proper use .................................64
replacement ..............................70
warning light and chime ..........69
Seats
adjusting the seat, manual .......59
adjusting the seats, power .......60
folding rear seats ......................62
head restraints ..........................62
Servicing your vehicle ..............136
precautions when
servicing ...........................136,138
servicing when you tow .........115
Shift-lock system ......................101Spare tire .....................................48
Speed control ..............................23
Speedometer .................................6
Starting your vehicle .............89,91
preparing to start your
vehicle ..................................89,91
starting a warm engine ............92
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................27
Tachometer ...................................6
Tail lamps
bulb replacement ....................174
Tilt steering wheel ......................27
Tire types ..................................163
Tires
changing ..................................128
checking the pressure ............160
replacing ...........................162,163
rotating .............................161,162
snow tires and chains ............163
treadwear ................................159
Towing your vehicle .................135
Trailer towing ..............110,113,114
calculating maximum trailer
weight ......................................111
tips ...........................................115
trailer brakes ...........................113
trailer lamps ............................114
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................152
Trip odometer ...............................7
Turn signal .........................174,176
Vehicle dimensions ...................190
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................191
Ventilating your vehicle (see
Climate control) ..........................21
Washer fluid ..............................144
rear window reservoir ............145
Windows
power windows,
operating .........................35,36,37
Index
195